QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Pricing: Plans & Per-Employee Cost

This page breaks down QuickBooks Desktop Payroll costs by plan and per employee, so you can budget accurately. It’s part of our payroll hub.

Payroll pricing breakdown

• Basic Payroll: ~$640/year + ~$7/employee/month
• Enhanced Payroll: ~$805/year + ~$7/employee/month
• Example: 10 employees on Enhanced ≈ $805 + ($7 × 10 × 12) = ~$1,645/year

Ready to pay employees electronically? See how to enable direct deposit, or return to the payroll plans overview.

Frequently asked questions

How much is QuickBooks Desktop Payroll per employee?

Most Desktop Payroll plans add about $7 per employee per month on top of the base subscription. A 10-employee business on Enhanced Payroll pays roughly $805/year plus $840/year in per-employee fees.

What is the difference between Basic and Enhanced Payroll?

Basic calculates paychecks and payroll taxes but leaves tax form filing to you. Enhanced adds completed federal and state tax forms and e-file/e-pay, for a higher annual fee.